COST E53

Development of an Efficient Scheme for Timber Machine Stress Grading

Timber is an important building material with various applications. As a natural grown material its properties are highly variable, depending on factors like e.g. species and habitat. In structural engineering, material properties of timber are in general understood as the stress and stiffness related properties. In comparison to building materials such as steel and concrete, the fulfillment of required property values cannot be reached through design and production by means of some recipe but rather by means of quality control procedures – also referred to as grading.
The high potential of machine grading for improving the efficiency of using timber in load-bearing structures is not used to the full extend. In order to stay competitive with other building materials the forestry-wood-timber chain needs to increase its efforts towards improved methods of quality control throughout the whole production line.
The aim and main objective of the present research project is to develop an efficient scheme for stress related machine timber grading. It will deliver a theoretical framework for the probabilistic modeling of graded timber material properties. A best practice procedure for timber grading will be developed considering all the needs and technical requirements identified throughout this project. In a case study, in close collaboration with the Swiss timber industry, the possible benefits of advanced grading systems will be shown. http://www.coste53.net/

• COST E 53: Development of an Efficient Scheme for Timber Machine Stress Grading (ETH Research Database 17415)